The Camp Followers

The Camp Followers

Year: 1965

Runtime: 114 mins

Language: Italian

Director: Valerio Zurlini

WarDrama

In WWII, Lieut. Martino and his men are assigned to lead a group of prostitutes through the mountainous ways to serve in brothels for Italian soldiers in Albania.

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Timeline & Setting – The Camp Followers (1965)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Camp Followers (1965). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1942

The story unfolds in the midst of World War II, with Italy occupying parts of Greece and partisan activity intensifying. The Italian convoy carries a grim mission, while violence escalates among soldiers and civilians alike. Shortages, disease, and shifting loyalties color the period, highlighting the moral toll of war.

Location

Athens, Greece, Greek countryside, abandoned railway carriages, mountain villages

Set during World War II in Greece, the action moves from occupied Athens to the rugged Greek countryside. The destinations include derelict railway cars and remote mountain villages, underscoring the brutality of war. The landscapes reflect how war dehumanizes both soldiers and the women who accompany them.

⚔️ War-torn 🏛️ Athens setting 🌄 Rural Greece

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:48

Main Characters – The Camp Followers (1965)

Meet the key characters of The Camp Followers (1965), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Elenitza (Anna Karina)

A pragmatic, reserved prostitute who travels with the convoy and forms a cautious bond with Martino. Her presence highlights the human cost of wartime exploitation and the resilience of the women who accompany soldiers.

🎭 Complex 💪 Resilient 👩‍🦰 Woman

Ten.Gaetano Martino (Tomas Milian)

A disillusioned lieutenant who questions his role in a war that commodifies civilians. He navigates moral conflict as violence erupts around him and forms a fragile connection with Elenitza.

🎖️ Loyal 🧭 Disillusioned

Castagnoli (Mario Adorf)

The pragmatic sergeant who coordinates the convoy and forms a grim partnership with Ebe. He embodies stoicism and a hard sense of duty in the face of brutality.

🛡️ Loyal 💡 Pragmatic

Alessi (Major Alessi) (Aleksandar Gavrić)

An overbearing superior who wields authority mercilessly, accelerating violence and coercion. His volatile temper triggers the group’s worst moments.

⚔️ Brutal 🧭 Power-hungry

Ebe (Valeria Moriconi)

The older, more grounded member who cares for the wounded and tries to maintain humanity. Her presence anchors the group and guides Castagnoli.

🕊️ Caring 🌾 Grounded

Eftikia (Eftichia) (Marie Laforêt)

A strong-willed woman whose vitality and resolve push toward resistance. She embodies personal agency and a defiant spirit.

💪 Resilient 🧭 Defiant

Toula (Lea Massari)

A quieter, principled presence who navigates fear with pragmatism and empathy, forming delicate bonds with the others.

👩‍🦰 Calm 🤝 Compassionate

Panaiota (Toula's sister) (Rossana Di Rocco)

Toula’s sister who contributes to the emotional stakes of the journey and the human network surrounding the convoy.

👭 Kinship 🧭 Human stakes

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:48

Major Themes – The Camp Followers (1965)

Explore the central themes of The Camp Followers (1965), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚖️ War ethics

War ethics examines how the conflict forces characters to compromise their moral codes. The convoy's coercive actions reveal how easily humanity can erode when survival and obedience are paramount. Martino's growing unease clashes with Alessi's brutality, exposing the cost of obedience in wartime. The narrative shows that victory often comes at a profound moral price.

🕊️ Survival

Survival drives choices that blur lines between duty and self-preservation. Castagnoli and Ebe strive to protect life and maintain a sliver of humanity amid chaos, while Eftikia's resilience edges toward resistance. The women's agency surfaces in quiet acts of defiance and solidarity. The group’s persistence starkly illustrates the human will to endure.

💔 Disillusionment

As violence escalates and loyalties shift, the illusion of wartime triumph fades. Martino loses purpose, and Elenitza is killed, underscoring the futility and cruelty of the conflict. The stories of Ebe and Toula emphasize the personal cost borne by ordinary people. The ending leaves Martino isolated and morally scarred, a testament to disillusionment in war.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:48

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The Camp Followers Summary

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The Camp Followers Timeline

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